Published
Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 13:00
- 12 is out on January 17th, marking the legendary composer's 71st birthday.
Ryuichi Sakamoto is releasing a new album, 12, on Milan Records.
Out on January 17th, 2023—which is also Sakamoto's 71st birthday—the LP is a collection of 12 compositions recorded in his native Tokyo during his ongoing battle with stage four cancer. Each numbered track title refers to its recording date, culminating in a diary-like release that offers an intimate snapshot into this period of the Japanese artist's life.
Announcing the new album on Instagram yesterday, November 20th, Sakamoto said after he "finally 'came home' to my new temporary housing after a big operation, I found myself reaching for the synthesiser. I had no intention of composing something; I just wanted to be showered in sound. I'll probably continue to keep this kind of diary."
Sakamoto has enjoyed a busy year. He scored Netflix anime series Exception, performed at Philharmonie de Paris and launched a virtual store where fans can buy piano sheet music of his classic works. He will also livestream a solo piano concert from Tokyo's 509 Studio on December 11th.
Read Sakamoto's Instagram post, and listen to an album teaser.
Tracklist
01. 20210310
02. 20211130
03. 20211201
04. 20220123
05. 20220202
06. 20220207
07. 20220214
08. 20220302 - sarabande
09. 20220302
10. 20220307
11. 20220404
12. 20220304
Milan Records will release 12 on January 17th, 2023.
